The Riff Raff Podcast

So what does a rambler do? Well it can drive you from A to B. It can keep you cool in the hot sun. Or it can chat about all kinds of things under the sun which is what this Rambler does. I'm so tickled to introduce you to Maddy Dever who is one of the kindest, sweetest, perceptive, strong, intelligent and best advocate for others I've ever met. In episode one of the Autistic Rambler, we touch on experiential empathy, intersectionality of the ASD and LGBTQ++ communities, what schools could do better and a whole lot more. It's time to ramble on ;)

Sometimes when you're looking to get in to a new job, you need to get the inside scoop on how to make it more successful. That's what we're offering here. Some tips to be aware of if you're looking to try out our Autism and Advanced Manufacturing program or to start applying on your own. We all need a helping hand (or gantry ;)) now and again!

We are not fans of boxes when it comes to employment opportunities. Unless you're ticking one off on a job application ;) It's one of the reasons we launched the Autism and Advanced Manufacturing Career Exploration program! Learn how you can blow the lid off employment opportunities by exploring roles like CNC Operator or Mold Maintenance Technician. Is that all? Nope but it's where we're starting!

What are partnership and collaboration such amazing things for a business? Because they open up opportunities that you might not have been able to act on by yourself and they create opportunities that you could never consider. I was fortunate to be introduced to Wayne Lamon from the Work Based Learning Consortium almost 2 years ago. Not only are the staff training programs that WBLC provides for clients in advanced manufacturing exceptional but their willingness to collaborate on one of my crazy ideas is also awesome ;)

This is a Canadian success story across so many levels. It brings together the importance of pursuing an idea, being open to opportunity and the power of being a part of a mentorship. Meet Amanda Craig and Doug Wallbank and hear their story of how mentorship changed their lives and businesses.

From a very young age, I have not liked to be told no, stuck in a box or what I can and cannot do by someone other than me. That goes for my business as well. Thank goodness I have amazing partners who don't say no and are as crazy as I am about kicking those constraining boxes to the curb. Now as a team we're trying to do that for autistic Canadians and we're announcing our new project focused on connecting autistic individuals to the advanced manufacturing sector. Why? Because one is an incredible talent pool and the other needs that talent incredibly badly. We have a solution.

Everyone likes a success story. If you are a parent of an autistic person, success stories are extremely important. Meet Courtney Weaver who is a success story on many levels. A strong autistic self-advocate, Courtney's journey to employment has had many stages and phases that all driven people can relate to.

Have you ever had the chance to learn from or be a mentor? It's an amazing opportunity that MentorAbility Ontario is helping to make happen for folks with a disability. Why is that important? When you've already got some barriers up against you for successful employment, support is a very important thing. Meet Brittany Williston from Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care and Kim Cooper from Youth Culture who are part of the MentorAbility program. Hear their success stories in providing on the job learning opportunities and making mentorship a part of their company culture.

There is nothing worse than a situation where a group elects itself the voice of another group. Why? Because how then do we really know whose voice we're listening to? This is what makes the 200th episode on the Across the Desk podcast extra special. It's what the podcast is all about - giving folks a voice who might not otherwise have one.

It's my honor to introduce you to some of the editorial team of the Canadian Journal of Autism Equity. Rebekah, Ryan and Mackenzie are all autistic adults who are sharing their voice as part of the editorial team. Their key role? To give a voice to other autistic Canadians who deserve to be heard.

I think we can all agree that COVID has put our mental health to the test. Imagine being in a situation where you are not only dealing with the stress of COVID but suddenly all supports for yourself or someone you care for who is autistic disappear. No warning. No other plan. Just gone. Dr. Carly McMorris and self advocate and parent Rebekah Kintzinger join us today to discuss what that looks like and how we can begin to recover.